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AARP teams up with Microsoft to help older adults ‘Get Connected’ to social media

It’s not just your kids’ Facebook anymore. Older Washingtonians are the fastest growing age group on the popular social networking site, according to a new AARP state survey.

But while connecting with family and grandkids and reaching out to old friends are at the top of their online agenda, the report also revealed most Washington seniors are worried about online safety in social media.

Photo: Jason Erskine

To help Washington seniors “Get Connected,” AARP and Microsoft are offering a free event today on social media. A capacity crowd of more than 325 seniors packed the conference center at Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond.

Participants are learning how to use social media to connect with old friends, make new ones, and communicate with the grandkids. They’re also learning how to participate in online causes and volunteer activities, discussion groups, and use social media to simply have fun.

Marsha Collier, author of “Facebook and Twitter for Seniors for Dummies” gave participants a crash course in the two popular social networking sites.

Representatives from Microsoft presented sessions on safer socializing on the Internet, video chat, and how to make your computer easier to see, hear, and use.

In the true spirit of social media, a number of additional participants also participated virtually through a livestream on AARP’s Facebook page.

While some people may shy away from new technologies, our members have been clamoring for information on how to log in to the social media world. “Get Connected” will be available soon along with tip-sheets and how-to-guides on AARP’s website at www.aarp.org/wa.

“The New Social Clicks,” AARP’s new report, shows 70 percent of online Washingtonians age 45-plus have at least one social networking account and more than 50 percent joined within the last two years. Facebook, LinkedIn, and online communities related to hobbies or personal interests are the most popular social networking sites.

Nearly six-in-10 online Washingtonians age 45-plus say they have a Facebook account, and older adults are flocking to the site in increasing numbers. According to the report, respondents age 65-plus are the fastest growing age group in the state joining Facebook. The most common reasons given among all respondents for using Facebook include to keep in touch with friends, 86 percent, and extended family members, 78 percent, and to connect with people from their past, 67 percent.

But while older adults are going social in increasing numbers, 84 percent of survey respondents say they’re concerned about online safety.

Social media is a great way to connect with others but there are some simple steps you should take to stay safe:

Don’t automatically trust that a message is who it says it’s from. Hackers can break into accounts and send messages that look like they’re from friends. Be especially suspicious of invitations to join other social networks.

Be selective about who you accept as a friend. Identity thieves may be looking to get personal information about you.

Be careful in what you post about yourself. Scammers may surf your site looking for clues to steal your passwords or security information.

The final word on the value of social media for older adults is still out though. According to AARP’s survey, two-thirds of respondents say social networking websites are a great way for people to stay in touch, but two-in-five say they are a “waste of time.”

Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate.